Joseph D. Phillips, M.D., of Gloucester, Virginia, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016, at the age of 80.

Beloved and devoted husband of Melinda (Hutcherson) Phillips; loving father of Nancie Phillips Tormey (Ken), Brad Phillips (Emily), and Scott Phillips (Amelia); kind and gentle grandfather to Ella Tormey and Adalyn Phillips; uncle to Larry Phillips Jr. (Beti), Leanne Phillips, Karla Phillips Bailey (Bill), Kim Phillips, Howard Hutcherson (Melanie), Jenny Hutcherson Pardue (John), Stephen Hutcherson (Tara), the late Adam Hutcherson, and Merideth Hutcherson Dillon (Brad).

Joe was born in 1936 to the late Joseph and Anne Diesroth Phillips (Behen) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was preceded in death by his older brother, Larry, and his parents.

Joe graduated from Mt. Lebanon High School in 1958 and then attended the University of Pittsburgh where he was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Society and also forged precious and life-long relationships with his SAE fraternity brothers. He received his medical degree at Pitt, and completed his psychiatric residency at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, New York. He practiced psychiatry with compassion and deep respect for his patients for roughly 50 years. His love of learning was focused, at various stages of his life, on the study of photography, astronomy, the stock market, quantum physics, and Christian apologetics.

Joe loved to laugh, and to make others laugh, and was happiest when surrounded by friends and family. He passed with deep Christian faith, having loved and been loved dearly. He contributed much, contemplated deeply, and lived his life with dignity.

A memorial service will take place on Friday, Dec. 16 at 4 p.m. at Bellamy United Methodist Church, 4870 Chestnut Fork Road, Gloucester.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Bellamy United Methodist Church or your charity of choice.

Andrews Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements.